[BMW6163]

I've had my space gray 2013 535i xdrive (non-m) for about a month now as a CPO from dealership. I have done a few mods which include; paint matching front reflectors, removed the front license plate and bracket, 35% tint all the way around, removed the dealership decals, mounted m-sport style 351 wheels and installed a burger tune.

Since I got the car I've been trying to decide how I want to change the chrome window trim to black and do I want matte or gloss. Currently the pillars are matte black as is the bottom of the mirror housing and I already purchased but haven't installed the oem gloss black grill. Options: 1)plasti dip the chrome trim matte black to match pillars and use gloss black grill 2)purchase the 8 piece oem shadowline set to replace the upper and lower chrome trim but leave the matte pillars and mirror housing (~$900). 3)purchase the 14 piece shadowline kit and replace all trim and pillars to gloss oem shadowline (~$1400). This would still leave the mirror housing matte. Funny how the sport line or m sport package is about 3-3500k and upgrading the options individually is maybe triple that amount. Open to other suggestions/idea as well...........................Picture of when I got her and where she's at now.

[thebmwjunkiee]

Cars looking great, I like the progress (maybe because I have the same color). But I'd say it really depends on you budget and how OCD you are. 99% of people will not pick up on the fact that you mixed matte and gloss. If I were in your shoes, I would either have the trim professionally painted or vinyl wrapped, which will save a considerable amount over buying replacements. Worst case it lasts a few years and may need to be redone, and I think it will look much better than chrome. I'd go with a glossy black to match the mirrors and grill.

My car came with shadowline trim and gloss pillars, so I decided to get a gloss black grill, CF mirrors/front lip/trunk spoiler which are all gloss as well. Also I just ordered a set of 20" wheels which I think I will be powder coating in gloss black to match everything else

Here's a photo for reference in case you are planning any of these mods:

[lsturbointeg]

it's been a couple years now and still holding strong. a lot of guys will vinyl their window trim as it's cheap to do and turns out great! you have the option of choosing gloss or matte finish. the kit can be ordered here: http://shadowlinetrim.com/


here's my thread i posted when i did this:
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1116176

[Desmond79]

^^^^

Like what you did here - looks great.

I have a Lux Line Black with all the chrome trim that lux carries. Murdered out looks great.

[BMW6163]

Thanks. After looking at endless photos of vinyl, trim etc. I'm leaning towards spending the money and just doing the 8 pieces (4 on each side, replacing chrome only (would be double the money to change all pillars too)). This would leave the pillars matte as well as the mirror housing. Any direction I decide Im not going to be buying or changing the mirror housing to gloss. So, my reasoning is leave the matte pieces as is and just change the chrome.

[ezmaass]

Funny enough, I went out of my way to special order my 650xi GC with the standard chrome trim versus the shadowline that it would otherwise come with as part of the M-Sport package.

After having shadowline on my 550xi, I just felt that it muted the car too much - given it was black on black.